Fountain Haus: A Sad Goodbye to an LGBTQ-Friendly Spot in Westport

Sadly, Fountain Haus, a well-loved LGBTQ-friendly anchor in Westport, has closed its doors. This unique spot, with three floors, multiple dance floors, and a rooftop “pool deck,” was a big part of Kansas City nightlife. But the club’s owners faced some tough challenges, and they had to make the hard decision to shut it down.

Hard Work and Dedication Couldn’t Save the Club

David Brinkerhoff, the club owner, talked about how hard the Fountain Haus team worked and how dedicated they were. But even with all their efforts, the challenges they faced were just too much. The club’s last night was on a Saturday.

A Special Place with a Cool History

Fountain Haus was at 401 Westport Road. It opened in 2022, in a space that used to be HopCat and TikiCat. The 13,000-square-foot venue had lots of food choices, many bars, and a rooftop pool deck that looked like an empty swimming pool. The club had drag shows, dance parties, and was a big part of Pride events. Fountain Haus was proud to be one of the biggest queer and ally spaces in the Midwest.

Legal Trouble and Helping Employees

In August, David Hollins, who used to be a minority partner in the business, filed a lawsuit. He said he hadn’t been paid back for his $50,000 investment in the club. Court papers say this investment was a 2% stake in the business. The lawsuit was settled a few weeks ago, and Hollins’ lawyer said the settlement was good for his client. We don’t know if the settlement had anything to do with the club closing.

Brinkerhoff said employees will get severance for February. He also asked Fountain Haus customers to support other LGBTQ places in the area, like Bistro 303, Cafe Trio, Gaels Public House, Hamburger Mary’s, Missie B’s, Sidekicks, Sidestreet, and Woody’s.

A Lasting Impact on Kansas City

As the club closes, Brinkerhoff thanked the Fountain Haus team, the customers, and the community partners who helped make the club a success. He said, “You are the heartbeat of Fountain Haus. We are super proud of what we built together and are so grateful to have been a part of Kansas City’s story.”

If you want to buy a home near fun nightlife spots like Fountain Haus, think about looking in nearby areas like Overland Park, Leawood, and Olathe Kansas. A real estate agent can help you find the perfect home in these lively communities.